Disney/Pixar's "Up" flew high over rivals to dominate the domestic weekend box office with an estimated $68.2 million at 3,766 playdates.

The "Up" launch marked the third biggest Pixar opening weekend after "The Incredibles" with $70.5 million and "Finding Nemo" with $70.3 million. The Mouse House reported 31% of the audience consisted of moppets, aged 2 to 11 -- allaying concerns that a pic starring a grouchy old man would present difficulties attracting kids.

"Up," buoyed by a massive promo push and laudatory notices, posted a stellar $18,110 per location average. It scored a 98% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes review site and an A plus on Cinemascore.

"Up" also received an extra lift at the box office from a record 1,530 3-D venues. Disney domestic distribution topper Chuck Viane said the 3D sites generated an average for "Up" -- Pixar's first 3D pic -- that was 2.2 times that of conventional locations.

"If there was any issue, it was that there were not enough 3D seats but that usually meant that people then went to a regular screen," Viane noted.

The frame's only other wide opener, Universal's horror entry "Drag Me to Hell," scared up $16.6 million at 2,508 as a counterprogrammer to up and Fox's second frame of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonsian." That was below outside forecasts but in line with studio expectations, according to U distribution chief Nikki Rocco, who asserted that "Drag Me to Hell" should benefit in coming weeks from its positive reviews.

The frame saw family films dominate as "Battle of the Smithsonian" sequel showed decent holding power, declining 52% for the three days to $25.5 million at 4,101 for a 10-day cume of $105.3 million. Fox senior VP Chris Aronson said the "Smithsonian" hold against competition from "Up" indicates that the marketplace expanded to accomodate both pics.

The sequel's already grossed 42% of the final $251 million domestic total for the original "Night at the Museum."

Warner Bros.' second frame of "Terminator Salvation" found traction elusive as it fell 62% to $16.1 million at 3,602. The fourth version of the franchise has cumed $90.7 million domestically in 11 days.

"T4" may have seen some of its potential audience opt for Paramount's "Star Trek," which remained a solid performer in its fourth frame with $12.8 million at 3,507. "Trek" has cumed $209.5 million, becoming the year's first title to cross the double century mark.

Sony's third weekend of "Angels and Demons" declined 48% to $11.2 million at 3,464. "Angels," which is performing far better outside the United States, has taken in $104.8 million in 17 days.

"Smithsonian" and "Angels" became the eighth and ninth pics to crack the $100 million mark at the domestic box office this weekend ...

Is there any topic Pixar can't turn into a hit? The studio has now transformed its geriatric fantasy adventure Up into its third highest grossing opening ever, behind The Incredibles ($70 million) and Finding Nemo ($70.2 million)...

"It's a great origin story that we're going to tell. A very character-oriented story. I would say more realistic than the past Lara Croft movies...I would say it's like Terminator - character-driven action. I think for me the Lara Croft games and movies have gone a little too action-oriented. I wanted to have action, but with character".

The concept is to harken back to the one alien, one ship notion with a non-Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) flick set before the events of the now 30 year old classic...In order to avoid both continuity problems and potential compliments from the franchise's fans like me who'd be very upset over a straight remake.

Last Month Ridley was said to be "toying around with the idea" of another "Alien" film.

The film will recount the events that made headlines worldwide in April. After his cargo ship was hijacked on the high seas off the Somali coast, Phillips surrendered and was taken hostage by pirates in order to protect his crew.

The married father of two made one unsuccessful escape attempt before an elite squad of US Navy Seals snipers shot and killed three of the four pirates - an action authorized by President Barack Obama A fourth pirate surrendered and is in custody.

Actor Kevin Spacey will co produce the pic...Will he perhaps play the heroic skipper?

I love how Rob Zombie continues to want to distance himself from the man who helped create the characters John Carpenter and yet used them for his remake of the original Halloween. Why not kill everyone in the 1st film and call the sequel something else?

Amid sky-high expectations, "Up" should live up to its title as the latest in the long line of Disney/Pixar toon successes.

"Up" opens today at 3,766 playdates, including a record 1,530 3-D sites, following an extensive promo campaign driving home the premise of a crusty old man tying thousands of balloons to his home and sailing off into the sky.

U's "Drag Me to Hell" offers a vivid counter-programming choice, aided by a PG-13 rating, at 2,508 venues. The weekend will also demonstrate how much traction exists for Fox's "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" and Warner's "Terminator Salvation," both in their second frames.

But the frame clearly will belong to "Up." With Ed Asner voicing the lead and Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.) directing, "Up" is likely to rack up an opening weekend above $60 million -- a milestone already surmounted by five of the 10 Pixar entries, including "Wall-E" last June. The last major animated entry, Paramount/DreamWorks' "Monsters vs. Aliens," opened with $59 million two months ago.

The $60 million mark looks achievable for "Up," given stellar reviews, additional coin from 3-D surcharges and the ongoing strong demand for family fare, evidenced over the four-day Memorial Day frame when "Smithsonian" bowed with $70 million. The second frame of "Smithsonian" is likely to take a hit in the 50% range and wind up in the 20s over the three days.

"I think 'Up' looks like a four-quadrant film," noted Disney distrib topper Chuck Viane. "The 3-D is quite spectacular and a real departure from what people have seen before, so that's going to be a real draw."

The growing number of 3-D venues -- representing more than 40% of the "Up" screens --should prove helpful to Disney, which saw "Bolt" wind up in 982 3-D locations, or 27% of total screens, while contributing 42% of the $114 million domestic cume.

"Drag Me to Hell," starring Alison Lohman as a bank officer who's supernaturally cursed as payback for her lack of customer service, comes into the market with the added zing of "Spider-Man" helmer Sam Raimi returning to his horror roots. Universal scared up $21 million a year ago with the opening of another horror entry, "The Strangers," and the last major scary pic, Lionsgate’s "The Haunting in Connecticut," wound up with $23 million in its launch.

"Drag Me" may cut into support for "Terminator Salvation," which opened slightly below expectations with $65.3 million in its first five days. "T4" was at $71.9 million as of Wednesday.

Par's "Star Trek" will remain a factor in its fourth frame. The reboot of the franchise has shown impressive legs, outgrossing the second weekend of "Angels and Demons" over Memorial Day, and has already become the year's top grosser with $195 million as of Wednesday, surpassing "Monsters vs. Aliens."

There's also pics of a lip-filled kissing scene with co-star Kristen Stewart...

In Pattinson's solo photos that have his six pack abs--lines are painted on ala "300", as are black dots which are apparently used as visual effects reference points.

We know that Pattinson's role has been "beefed up" versus that of his character from the book and that he is competing for tween screams in the film with the shirtless Wolf Pack also in the film.

Have not read the book have not seen the 1st Twilight...so therefore I don't know the context or anything but it just seems like the filmmakers want as much beefcake as possible here. What other reason could there be? And what's with the CGi enhancements for Robbie--adding story or sex appeal?

Just pointing out here a bit of hypocrisy here.. I have had women complain to me that film often objectifies their gender with scenes of gratuitous nudity-especially the teen/adult comedy genre...Ladies I ask you are these bare chests really necessary in New Moon?--Is this not the same thing that you females complain about in Guy Flicks?

Meanwhile, MTV says the first trailer for the November 20th. sequel will debut on the 2009 MTV Movie Awards, airing at 9:00 pm ET on Sunday. Then at 10:45 p.m., the high-definition version will go online ...

"Tony's expected to be a role model and I don't think he's ready to be one. He's under a great deal of pressure and when you're under pressure, I think you find outlets for that. That's one of the tensions of the film: it's one thing to say you're Iron Man, and another thing to actually become Iron Man."

Favreau also said that Jim Rhodes (Don Cheadle), as hinted at in Iron Man, may be stepping into some hardware this time around.

As for Mickey Rourke-playing Whiplash he says "I'm having the time of my life!".

Hoffman plays a retired cop and father of the story's title character (Giamatti) -- who has led a reckless life highlighted by three marriages, two children and status as a "person of interest" in the mysterious disappearance of his friend.

The Robb and Mark Cullen script follows a maverick cop (Willis) and his partner (Tracy Morgan) who, while tracking a valuable stolen baseball card, tangle with a memorabilia-obsessed gangster and rescue a Mexican beauty who holds the key to millions in laundered drug money.

Scott plays a thief known as the Sh*t Bandit for the souvenirs he leaves at his robberies. Brody is an abrasive detective not happy to be working with Willis and Morgan.

Scott's role seems like a perfect fit...While usually playing the nice guy--Brody is going against type...Either way this one could be lots if fun.

Kevorkian, known as Dr. Death, assisted in more than 150 cases of suicide and had beaten the state court system in Michigan numerous times, but was finally convicted after he willingly sent a videotape of himself euthanizing a terminally ill man to TV news show "60 Minutes."

He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 and he served eight years of a 10-to-25 year sentence before being released on parole for good behavior and his own declining health

The film will trace him as he conducts his first assisted suicide, and starts a national debate defending a patient's right to die.

Buffy mastermind Joss Whedon's involvement has not been ruled out--but he has not been offered to participate yet either....

The new film will not have any connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters--It would start anew without Sarah Michelle Gellar or anyone else and it would be a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential that includes sequels.

A Buffy film without Whedon is like a Star Wars without George Lucas...Having a whole new mythology only serves to alienate fans. Since Kuzui was there for the series she should know that a total new beginning is a mistake...Buffy is not Star Trek of course, but at least that reboot respected much of what has come before and did it every step of the way...

Now that the the holiday weekend is over--It's back to work and that means Pamela McClintock of Variety has the final box office numbers:

Twentieth Century Fox's sequel "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" charged past Warner Bros.' "Terminator: Salvation" to gross $70 million in its domestic debut.

That was more than enough for "Smithsonian," playing in 4,096 runs, to top the Memorial Day box office. Pic benefited handsomely from being the first all-audience comedy of the summer.

"T4" grossed $53.8 million from 3,530 runs for the Friday-Monday stretch in a lower-than-expected start for the film, which relaunches the franchise sans Arnold Schwarzenegger. Pic opened Thursday to $13.4 million, putting its five-day total at $67.2 million.

Also, "Star Trek" could have cut into "T4's" action. "Star Trek" placed No. 3 for the weekend, declining only 49% to an estimated $29.4 million for a cume of $191 million in its third sesh.

The other summer event pic that's opened so far is Columbia's "Angels and Demons," which continued to see more action overseas in its second weekend. Domestically, the adult-skewing title slipped a relatively steep 54% to an estimated $27.7 million for a cume of $87.8 million.

The third pic to open over the holiday was Paramount's raunchy sendup "Dance Flick," from director Damien Wayans. Film overperformed in its opening, grossing an estimated $13.1 million from 2,450 runs for the four-day holiday weekend.

Weekend ran essentially flat with Memorial Day weekend in 2008, when "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" grossed north of $125 million for the four-day sesh.

"Smithsonian" scored the top Memorial Day opening ever for a PG-rated film.

Internationally, "Angels" won the weekend, grossing $60.4 million at 10,610 playdates in 99 markets for a foreign cume of $198.3 million and worldwide tally of $286 million. Sony expects the film to jump the $300 million mark Wednesday.

Did not see "Night 2" But I saw T-4. Star Trek's numbers and longevity are impressive considering the competition...

The film opens--it is 2003, death row inmate Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) is housed at the Longview Correctional Facility where he meets with Dr Serena Kogan (Helena Bonham Carter), a representative of Cyberdyne Systems to donate his organs and tissue for what he believes will be a good cause.

He wakes up 15 years after his execution, in 2018, to find a desolated downtown Los Angeles...

At the same time, John Connor (Bale) on a nearby Skynet base, is the sole survivor of an assault. He discovers plans to develop the T-800, as well as a Skynet transport carrying captured humans, who are being moved to Skynet's main base of North American operations in San Francisco.

Connor returns to a nuclear sub acting as Resistance headquarters and tells Resistance leader General Ashdown (Michael Ironside) of his discovery. Ashdown informs Connor that, even though it will result in the deaths of most of the prisoners, an offensive against the Skynet base in San Francisco is planned to take place in four days. When Connor asks why it would be in four days, it is revealed that the Resistance intercepted a transmission from Skynet, listing people that they planned to kill in four days: first on the list is Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin), second is Connor, and the rest are the command staff of the Resistance.

The resistance has also discovered a frequency that could possibly be used to force Skynet machines to shut down. After leaving the submarine, Connor speaks with his second in command, Barnes (Common). He also reunites with his wife, Kate (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Meanwhile. after stealing clothes from a dead Resistance fighter, Marcus makes his way through the city to discover that the only human survivors there are a teenage Kyle Reese and his young, silent, child companion named Star (Jadagrace). .

As Marcus and Kyle leave L.A. city behind to meet Connor, their vehicle comes under fire by various terminators, which takes Kyle and Star alive in a round up of humans to transport to a prisoner camp. Marcus, however, is left behind.

Connor is determined to discover why Skynet is taking human prisoners. The Resistance picks up unusually concentrated machine activity in the Los Angeles Basin and dispatch fighters to intercept the hunter-killers in the area. One of them, Blair Williams (Moon Bloodgood) a pilot, is shot down and rescued by Marcus, and the interception fails.

The script from John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris sets up things nicely--allowing for plenty of T-action....But...I know that we are dealing with the end of the world type stuff--I must say, the film is almost too dark...I missed the type of humor (provided by Arnie) from the other films...Everything was too serious...

McG staged some great action scenes and the late great Stan Winston's crew pulled off some great FX and all--But this is a summer flick that's STILL not all that fun to watch--

As Connor Bale was just OK--which in and of itself was a surprise--Was I expecting too much from him? Maybe...I was more impressed with Worthington as Wright--Whose character had an engaging arc in the film and he really pulls it off.

Yelchin's Reese served as more of a major "Save him or we wreak our future" plot point than anything else. Hopefully he's got more to do in the next one.

Howard, Bloodgood and Carter are there yes--but are pushed out to focus on Bale and Worthington.

Salvation is solid but has tonal issues that really took away from the cool factor--

Apocalypse is serious biz...But as a Summer Blockbuster it need not forget to have fun.

"Museum 2" saw a boffo 30% jump Friday to Saturday. Also, 52% of the audience were non-family. Film was able to overcome a box office hit in Los Angeles and Denver as sports fans in both cities tuned in to the NBA basketball playoffs.

Sequel easily bested the $43 million opening of "Night at the Museum" over the Christmas holiday in 2006.

In a not-so-good sign for "T4," "Museum 2" beat it on Friday. Fan-driven pics usually do better on Fridays, while family films do bigger business on Saturday and Sunday.

However, "T4's" five-day opening number should be in the vicinity of the five-day opening of "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," which clocked in at $68 million.

"T4"--directed by McG and toplining Christian Bale--was produced by Halcyon. Project was a negative pickup for Warners, which invested roughly $50 million in the reboot (not including marketing costs).

Sony, which is handling "T4" overseas, invested roughly $75 million. "T4" doesn't open at the international box office for another two weeks.

"The script was already out there; I read the script, I loved it. It would be a very tough character for me to play. We're going to do some tests once I'm done with this, but it's a great script and story. Somebody who I know, because of Howard Zinn's thing [the documentary The People Speak], and I know the character really well.

"[Writer]Mark Gordon and I had a conversation, and we said, 'Let's do this, let's get this done.'

"People have been wanting to do it forever and there's a lot of directors who'd love to be involved, so I think now's the time" says Brolin.

Brolin has a few more weeks of work on "Hex" before heading to England to star in Woody Allen's next film ...

Saturday, May 23, 2009

A lot of film news pops that I don't have time to get to through normal posting...In an effort to include as much content as possible---I will create headline-filled posts every so often (about 2 times a month) with bits from all over the Net.

These posts will include very little comment from me--if at all--except on rare occasion.

*"There are more shots of Michael Myers running around in his mask in this movie than in any of the other movies I don’t think anybody has to worry" says Rob Zombie in regards to rumors of the upcoming H2: Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 features a mask-less Michael Myers. Get full details...

Joe, who wears an eye patch for reasons never explained, has child-friendly misadventures, sometime joined by various friends like Pesty, Mort, Toughie, Hungry Herman, love interest Jane and a dog named Walkie Talkie.

Since just about every comic book ever created gets at least one film--comic strips are the next logical step I suppose...